🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Kirk DeMicco
- Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
- Release year: 2023
- Runtime (length): 1h 31min
- IMDb rating: 5.7/10 (19K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 66%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A shy kraken girl learns she’s royalty and must fight an evil mermaid to save prom, proving that even giant sea monsters have teenage problems.
🍿 Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction to Ruby Gillman
Ruby Gillman is a 16-year-old Kraken trying to navigate high school in the seaside town of Oceanside. Her biggest challenge? Her overprotective mother, Agatha, forbids her from going near the ocean, complicating Ruby’s desire to attend prom on a boat. Ruby also has a crush on a skater boy named Connor.

Unveiling the Kraken Within
During an attempt to ask Connor to prom, Ruby accidentally knocks him into the ocean. She jumps in to save him, triggering an unexpected transformation into a giant Kraken. This event reveals her family’s secret and sets her on a path to understanding her true heritage. A new student named Chelsea takes credit for saving Connor, complicating matters further.

Discovering Her Lineage
Ruby discovers she is descended from warrior Kraken queens and is destined to become the Warrior Queen of the Seven Seas. She meets her grandmother, Grandmamah, who reveals the history of Krakens as protectors of the ocean against power-hungry mermaids. Ruby begins training to harness her powers, setting the stage for an epic confrontation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Ruby Gillman (Lana Condor): A shy teenage Kraken who learns about her destiny to protect the oceans.
- Chelsea Van Der Zee (Annie Murphy): A seemingly friendly mermaid who enrolls at Oceanside High, but is secretly the vengeful mermaid queen Nerissa.
- Agatha Gillman (Toni Collette): Ruby’s mother and a former Kraken warrior who hides her past to protect her family.
- Grandmamah (Jane Fonda): Ruby’s grandmother and the Warrior Queen of the Seven Seas, training Ruby in her Kraken abilities.
- Connor (Jaboukie Young-White): Ruby’s crush and classmate, who is oblivious to her Kraken identity.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Chelsea Van Der Zee: “I’m a FLIPPING MERMAID!” – Chelsea reveals her true identity as a mermaid in a moment of dramatic irony and villainous reveal.
- Ruby Gillman: “Okay Ruby…have a completely, totally, ordinary day…you’ve got this.” – Ruby tries to boost her confidence before facing a day at high school, highlighting her desire for normalcy.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $70,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $15,753,600
- Worldwide Gross: $45,657,745
💥 Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken Reviews
Personal Review
As a big fan of animated movies, I was hoping for something truly special with ‘Ruby Gillman.’ While the animation is gorgeous, especially the underwater scenes, I felt like the story was too predictable. The family dynamic was sweet, and I loved Jane Fonda as the Grandmamah. The movie made me feel nostalgic for classic coming-of-age stories, but it didn’t quite reach the emotional depth I craved. I think it’s a fun movie for kids, but it lacked the magic to keep me fully engaged, honestly.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of animated movies”
- “Families with children”
- “Viewers who enjoy stories about self-discovery”
- “People who like stories about mythical creatures”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Mild action violence”
- “Some rude humor”
- “Thematic elements related to family secrets and identity”
Professional Reviews
- The Animated Times: “Ruby Gillman offers vibrant visuals and a heartwarming message about self-acceptance. However, the story feels too familiar, borrowing heavily from other coming-of-age tales. Still, the animation is top-notch, and the voice acting is solid.
- Reel Rundown: “The film struggles with originality, often feeling like a blend of ‘Turning Red’ and ‘Luca.’ While the underwater scenes are visually stunning, the plot is predictable, and the humor falls flat. Best suited for younger audiences.
- Indie Animator: “Dreamworks provides an okay movie. The story is fairly paint-by-numbers, but what does stand out is some really interesting character design, particularly the gillmans. If you have kids, it’s more than serviceable, but if you don’t, there isn’t anything special here to get people to rush to watch.
Audience Reactions
Viewers loved the vibrant animation and creative character designs, especially the unique look of the Gillman family.: The film’s positive message of self-acceptance and embracing differences resonated well with audiences.
Many viewers found the underwater scenes visually stunning and engaging, highlighting the film’s strong animation.: Families appreciated the movie’s humor and action, making it a fun experience for all ages.
Overall Consensus: ‘Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken’ delivers colorful animation and a positive message but struggles with originality and depth, making it a decent family watch but not a standout animated film.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Faryn Pearl became the youngest woman ever to direct a feature animated film at 31 years old with this movie.”
- “The Dreamworks Animation logo dissolves into a swarm of jellyfish underwater to open the film, setting the aquatic tone.”
🖥️ How to Watch Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken?
As of October 2024, ‘Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken’ is available for streaming on platforms such as Peacock. You can also rent or purchase the movie through digital retailers like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check local listings for potential broadcast options.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken, you might like these similar films:
- Turning Red (2022): Both films explore the challenges of teenage girls coming to terms with a hidden, fantastical side of their family history and managing transformations.
- Luca (2021): Shares the theme of sea monsters hiding their identities and trying to fit into a human world, dealing with friendship and acceptance.
- The Little Mermaid (1989): Explores similar themes of underwater worlds, mermaids, and the desire to bridge the gap between different worlds, although with a different take on mermaids.
🛒 Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken Related Products
- Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken Movie Novelization: Relive the movie magic with this exciting novelization! Dive deeper into Ruby’s world, her friendships, and her journey of self-discovery with all-new scenes. Great for young readers and fans of the film.
- Funko Pop! Animation: Ruby Gillman – Ruby Kraken: Add Ruby in her Kraken form to your Funko Pop! collection! This detailed figure captures Ruby’s transformation, making it a must-have for collectors and fans of the movie.
- Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken – Sticker Pack: Decorate your belongings with these fun and colorful stickers featuring Ruby, her friends, and iconic scenes from the movie. Perfect for laptops, water bottles, and more.
- Ruby Gillman: ‘Kraken Queen’ T-Shirt: Show your support for Ruby with this t-shirt. Made from soft, comfortable cotton, it’s perfect for everyday wear. Available in various sizes and colors.
🎧 Soundtrack
Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Ruby Gillman is a kraken. She discovers she is descended from a royal family of legendary sea krakens, who are protectors of the ocean.
As of October 2024, you can stream it on Peacock. It is also available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Yes, ‘Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken’ is generally considered suitable for kids. It’s rated PG for some action, rude humor, and thematic elements. Parents should consider their child’s sensitivity to these elements.
🔥 Bonus Content
Everything Wrong With Ruby Gilman, Teenage Kraken In 19 Minutes or Less
Ever notice some weird plot holes in ‘Ruby Gilman’? CinemaSins breaks down all the inconsistencies in under 20 minutes, and honestly, it’s pretty hilarious how much they found!
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken Review | This Movie Gave Me Anxiety
Thinking of watching ‘Ruby Gilman’ but not sure if it’s worth your time? This review dives deep, and the reviewer even claims the movie gave them anxiety! I’m now so curious.
What made Ruby Gillman fail? #dreamworks #movie #opinion
Wondering why ‘Ruby Gilman’ didn’t quite hit the mark? This short video quickly breaks down some of the potential reasons. It’s a controversial take, but I think it’s got some great points.
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